Sedentary/eat calories? Or, pick active no eat exer cals?

DeeDiddyGee
DeeDiddyGee Posts: 601 Member
edited January 23 in Health and Weight Loss
I have read all the newbie links. When I joined in April, I set my MFP activity level to Sedentary (I have a desk job) and have been eating back my exercise calories.

If I were to set my MFP activity level to "Moderately Active" do I just eat the calories they recommend? Or do I some sort of math?

Thanks for the help. I am not using the TDEE method.

I have become quite active -- for ME. This is what my activity looks like:


Sun 40 minutes elliptical at gym

Mon Brisk 45 minute walk on lunch hour. NO GYM

Tues Brisk 45 minute walk on lunch hour. 40 minutes heavy weight lifting at gym in evening.

Weds Brisk 45 minute walk on lunch hour. 50 minute Zumba class at gym in the evening.

Thurs Brisk 45 minute walk on lunch hour. 40 minutes heavy weight lifting at gym in evening.

Friday. Brisk 45 minute walk on lunch hour. NO GYM

Sat 40 minutes elliptical at gym

Replies

  • psych0kitty
    psych0kitty Posts: 313
    In lieu of MFP's automatic settings, I recommend using this guide http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013 to set your own goals. Yes, it's math, but I think it works better.
  • JulesAlloggio
    JulesAlloggio Posts: 480 Member
    If you are doing light exercises I suggest eating a little bit more than your BMR calorie amount.
  • SteelySunshine
    SteelySunshine Posts: 1,092 Member
    Did you become moderately active?
  • dognamedpig
    dognamedpig Posts: 38 Member
    I believe mine is sedentary but I don't eat the exercise calories. To me they are a bonus deficit and I'm not working out a bunch so I don't think I need them. I'm at 245 and 1600/day which says it's 1.5 lbs/week.
  • WaterBunnie
    WaterBunnie Posts: 1,371 Member
    The activity level is based on your employment type because that is a big portion of your day. I work in an office and prefer to have mine set at sedentary and I use exercise a good way of earning more calories - but don't always eat them on the day I actually earned them, as long as it all works out across the week. I would worry that I was cheating if I set myself as moderately active as it doesn't make you as accountable and you could kid yourself that you were moving more than you actually are.
  • DeeDiddyGee
    DeeDiddyGee Posts: 601 Member
    Did you become moderately active?

    Yes, I have become quite active. At least, it is quite active for ME.


    Sun 40 minutes elliptical at gym

    Mon Brisk 45 minute walk on lunch hour. NO GYM

    Tues Brisk 45 minute walk on lunch hour. 40 minutes heavy weight lifting at gym in evening.

    Weds Brisk 45 minute walk on lunch hour. 50 minute Zumba class at gym in the evening.

    Thurs Brisk 45 minute walk on lunch hour. 40 minutes heavy weight lifting at gym in evening.

    Friday. Brisk 45 minute walk on lunch hour. NO GYM

    Sat 40 minutes elliptical at gym
  • herblackwings39
    herblackwings39 Posts: 3,930 Member
    Using MFP settings you should eat back your exercise calories. Your deficit is figured already so if it says to net 1600 calories a day and you're burning off an extra 500 and don't eat them you're only netting 1100. On a 500 calorie burn day you'd need to eat 1600 + 500 or 2100 to properly fuel your body. Your .5-2 lb loss factor is already set.
  • DeeDiddyGee
    DeeDiddyGee Posts: 601 Member
    If you are doing light exercises I suggest eating a little bit more than your BMR calorie amount.

    MFP says my BMR is 1,599 with the Sedentary setting.
  • majope
    majope Posts: 1,325 Member
    If you're using MFP and not TDEE minus a percentage, you're supposed to eat the exercise calories back no matter what activity level you choose. MFP's activity level is supposed to cover all the things you do when you're not exercising--it is not supposed to include exercise.
  • dognamedpig
    dognamedpig Posts: 38 Member
    Using MFP settings you should eat back your exercise calories. Your deficit is figured already so if it says to net 1600 calories a day and you're burning off an extra 500 and don't eat them you're only netting 1100. On a 500 calorie burn day you'd need to eat 1600 + 500 or 2100 to properly fuel your body. Your .5-2 lb loss factor is already set.

    Ahaa! Sense, it makes sense, and I like sense!
  • DeeDiddyGee
    DeeDiddyGee Posts: 601 Member
    If you're using MFP and not TDEE minus a percentage, you're supposed to eat the exercise calories back no matter what activity level you choose. MFP's activity level is supposed to cover all the things you do when you're not exercising--it is not supposed to include exercise.

    I have been eating my calories back. Just want to make sure MFP's formula is correct. BAsed on other sites calculators, it says I should be netting only 1,009 calories per day based on my height and weight. That it takes 2,009 calories (BMR) for me to exist. But MFP says it only takes 1,599 calroies for me to exist.
  • JulesAlloggio
    JulesAlloggio Posts: 480 Member
    If you are doing light exercises I suggest eating a little bit more than your BMR calorie amount.

    MFP says my BMR is 1,599 with the Sedentary setting.

    thats the least amount of calories you should be eating.
  • SteelySunshine
    SteelySunshine Posts: 1,092 Member
    If you are doing light exercises I suggest eating a little bit more than your BMR calorie amount.

    MFP says my BMR is 1,599 with the Sedentary setting.

    thats the least amount of calories you should be eating.

    What she said. Especially since you are exercising quite a bit more.
  • DeeDiddyGee
    DeeDiddyGee Posts: 601 Member
    Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to reply. Very much appreciated!

    Dee
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